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Shavuot
THE MEANING OF THE HOLIDAY OF SHAVUOT
Shavuot, also known as the “Feast of Weeks,” was originally celebrated as a Thanksgiving for the “First Fruits.” The Torah refers to Shavuot as “Chag HaBikkurim,” the festival of the first fruits, which our ancestors observed by bringing offerings of the best produce to the Temple. During the period leading up to Shavuot, we count each day beginning on the Second Night of Pesach. This counting, “S’firat Ha’Omer,” highlighted our ancestors’ hopes that Shavuot, the end of the Omer counting, would yield a bountiful crop. Coincidently, the Omer period encompasses many of the tragedies of our people over the generations. Therefore, it is customary to prohibit weddings during a specific part of the seven weeks as a sign of national mourning.
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In addition to being an agricultural festival, Shavuot is also a celebration of the Jewish Peoples’ receiving the Torah at Mt. Sinai. Although the Torah does not identify Shavuot in this context, the Talmud has an undisputed tradition that the Torah was given at this time. Therefore, we stay up studying on the first night of the festival, and the Ten Commandments are read in the Synagogue on the first day.
Of the major Jewish Holidays, Shavuot is sometimes overlooked. It doesn’t have quite the gravitas of the High Holidays, the fun (or hassle) of eating outside in the Sukkah, nor the nostalgia of Passover Seders. In fact, the folk tradition most strongly associated with it is eating dairy foods, (especially cheesecake). In a sense though, more than any other day on the Jewish calendar, it is the holiday of Jewish identity; it is the holiday which celebrates the Torah, the central teaching which is at the root of Jewish action and belief. It is so closely associated with identity, that it is the day on which we read the book of Ruth and celebrate those who choose to join our community as converts.
SCHEDULE OF SHAVUOT SERVICES
Saturday, June 4
Pre-Tikkun Leyl Shavuot* (In-Person Only) Ma’ariv/Service to Welcome the Festival of Shavuot 7:30 PM 9:00 PM
In-person and Live Stream from the Feather Beit Midrash Tikkun Leyl Shavuot* Following Ma’ariv *An evening of study with the clergy and members of the congregation
Sunday, June 5
6:00 PM
Monday, June 6
Early Yizkor In-person and Live Stream from the Feather Beit Midrash Festival Service/Yizkor In-person and Live Stream from the Kamensky Sanctuary Mincha In-person and Live Stream from the Feather Beit Midrash 8:00 AM
9:30 AM
12:45 PM
